saw who it was, they ran and sat down, one on each side of her.

[Illustration: Mrs. Palmer]

Miss Palmer looked up, and upon seeing who it was that had interrupted
her she closed her book, and said she was just wishing she had some one
to talk to.

"Do you notice how still it is?" she said, "and how close and hot the
air is? I fear we are going to have a terrible storm. We must watch the
clouds, and run a race with them. If we get home first, all will be
well, but if the clouds do, alas for our clothes!"

Just as she spoke they heard a low muttering of thunder, and then
suddenly a blast of cold wind rushed by them. The big black clouds
rolled rapidly up, and in a moment the whole scene before them was
changed. The ocean began to have a lowering, angry look, and a schooner
which had been lying lazily in the water gave a bound forward like a
live creature, and sped on its way. Miss Palmer sprang to her feet,
saying, "Now, children, the time for the race has come. The rain is
determined to get there first, but so are we; see who will win the
race."

[Illustration: Schooner]

So all three started on at a quick pace. One big drop fell on Lucy's
hand, and they hurried on. The race was barely theirs, for just as they
stepped in at the door a blinding flash of lightning came, and a crash
of thunder almost at the same instant, which made them glad enough that
they were safely housed.

Although the thunder and lightning ceased after a while, and even the
rain poured itself out, the wind continued to blow furiously. Lucy
waited till she dared wait no longer, and then said that she must go
home, for she knew her mother was already anxious about her.

"Oh, you can't go, Lucy," said Ollie; "see how that great tree bends;
why, you couldn't keep on your feet for one minute."

Just then they looked out of the window and saw Ollie's father riding
by. He had just stopped to speak to some one, and Ollie, losing no time,
opened the window and called to him.

[Illustration: Ollie's father]

"Papa, papa," she called, "do you think it is safe for Lucy to try to go
home?"

The wind was making such a terrible noise that Ollie's voice could not
be heard.

Mr. Rogers dismounted and came to the window. He did not think it at all
safe for Lucy to go home in such a gale, and promised instead to go
to Mr. Coit's house and beg permission for Lucy to stay all night with
Ollie.

Of course both of the children were overjoyed with this